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[546]
That therefore he might fly the faster, he gave orders to cast away
what might hinder his army's march; so they killed the mules and other
creatures, excepting those that carried their darts and machines, which
they retained for their own use, and this principally because they were
afraid lest the Jews should seize upon them. He then made his army march
on as far as Bethoron. Now the Jews did not so much press upon them when
they were in large open places; but when they were penned up in their descent
through narrow passages, then did some of them get before, and hindered
them from getting out of them; and others of them thrust the hinder-most
down into the lower places; and the whole multitude extended themselves
over against the neck of the passage, and covered the Roman army with their
darts. In which circumstances, as the footmen knew not how to defend themselves,
so the danger pressed the horsemen still more, for they were so pelted,
that they could not march along the road in their ranks, and the ascents
were so high, that the cavalry were not able to march against the enemy;
the precipices also and valleys into which they frequently fell, and tumbled
down, were such on each side of them, that there was neither place for
their flight, nor any contrivance could be thought of for their defense;
till the distress they were at last in was so great, that they betook themselves
to lamentations, and to such mournful cries as men use in the utmost despair:
the joyful acclamations of the Jews also, as they encouraged one another,
echoed the sounds back again, these last composing a noise of those that
at once rejoiced and were in a rage. Indeed, things were come to such a
pass, that the Jews had almost taken Cestius's entire army prisoners, had
not the night come on, when the Romans fled to Bethoron, and the Jews seized
upon all the places round about them, and watched for their coming out
[in the morning].

Flavius Josephus. The Works of Flavius Josephus. Translated by. William Whiston, A.M. Auburn and Buffalo. John E. Beardsley. 1895.

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